The Bedford County Chamber Foundation once again delighted music lovers of the Bedford County region and beyond with beautiful songs and stories as part of the organization’s 2025 concert series, featuring stars of the internationally-renowned touring group, Celtic Thunder. The concerts benefit the programs of the 501-c3 foundation, which provide unique educational opportunities for more than 6,000 students in Bedford County, grades pre-K thru 12, including career exploration, literacy and leadership development initiatives, and are made possible through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.
Emmet Cahill Charms Audience for Saint Patrick’s Celebration
The series began with a March concert featuring Ireland’s most exciting young tenor, Emmet Cahill, who has toured the US and around the world for more than 15 years, including appearances with the Tabernacle Choir and a sold-out solo performance at Carnegie Hall. Cahill helped usher in Saint Patrick’s Day in front of a sold-out audience of more than 200 guests from three states at the Bedford Elks Country Club, accompanied by brilliant pianist, Seamus Brett. On a stage that brought the streets of Dublin to life, Cahill shared songs and stories from the Emerald Isle to the Great White Way, including favorites like Danny Boy, Amazing Grace, Toora Loora Lay, On the Streets Where You Live and many more.
“It was just like singing to a room of old friends,” reflected Emmet after the March 9th concert. “It felt super relaxed and intimate and you know it’s such a beautiful area, and I’m always so excited to come back and see everybody again. And it was especially fun leading up to St Patrick’s Day. I take my audiences on journey I want them to feel like they’re with me in Ireland singing the songs of the people telling the stories, but also talking about you know that wonderful unique relationship between Ireland and America and the immigrant story is a huge thing as well, so it was just so exciting come back.”
Damian McGinty Performs at Woodhaven
Former Glee star, Damian McGinty returned to Bedford County for a beautiful Summer Night tour stop at Woodhaven event venue in Schellsburg July 16th. The Celtic Thunder principle performer has been touring the world since he was 14 years old, and has developed a love of the small-town charm of Bedford’s shops, trails, and friendly citizens, prompting the artist to build extra time into his schedule in Bedford during his tour.
“Bedford is just a place where everything seems to be made with extra love,” McGinty explained. “We always make a point to come to town a little early so we can go around to the wee shops or the farmer’s market and just enjoy it, I love everything about it, and that’s very specific to Bedford.”
With storms in the area throughout the afternoon, the concert was moved from the lawn inside the beautiful event barn at Woodhaven, creating a special, intimate concert experience for the nearly 200 attendees from 6 counties and 2 states. McGinty shared songs from the road, as well as his experiences as a new Dad, inspired by his daughter Daisy who celebrated her first birthday in March.
The concert series is supported through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, administrated by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and in partnership with many local businesses, including the Golden Eagle Inn, Woodhaven, the Bedford Elks, WJAC, Cessna Communications, The Bedford Gazette, WattersWorks Photography, Sunny Oaks Studios, Cove Creek Photography, Northeastern Entertainment and DJ Shane Imler, and Juli’s Wearable Art.
“We absolutely love presenting these concerts,” said Chamber President-CEO Kellie Goodman Shaffer, “It is such a pleasure to share the music but also the kind spirits of these talented individuals with our community, but also to share our amazing community with them as well as their many fans – it’s just such a perfect fit – the folks who love their music naturally love Bedford County and all we have to offer as well, it’s a win-win.”
Proceeds from the concert series benefit Chamber Foundation programs designed to build our leading community and cultivate the workforce of the future, including Leadership Bedford County, Youth Leadership Bedford County, Community Reading Day, Steps to Success, Touch a Truck, 5th Grade Career Field Day, 7th Grade Ag Career Fair, Business Community & Career Showcase, Educator in the Workplace, and Civics and Citizenship Day. These career exploration, literacy and leadership development programs are provided to students in all Bedford County public and private schools and also offered to home-schooled students at no cost to local families, thanks to the foundation’s fundraising efforts and the generosity of local businesses. For more information about the Chamber Foundation, call Kellie Goodman Shaffer at 814-623-2233 or visit bedfordcountychamber.com/foundation.
Plans are already underway for the 2026 concert season, which will include a March 28th appearance by Neil Byrne as well as a concert by the River City Brass Band, and at least one more event in the series, with details to be announced in the coming weeks. Check the Chamber website and social media platforms updates.
